Russia launches 157 drones as Ukraine faces attritional warfare across front
The Russia-Ukraine war continues with intense military operations on both sides. Russian forces conducted large-scale drone and missile attacks across Ukrainian territory on September 17th, launching 157 strike drones alongside ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, targeting infrastructure in multiple regions including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian air defenses shot down many of these weapons. Meanwhile, Russian forces have made incremental territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly around Donetsk and in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, capturing settlements in recent weeks. The conflict has evolved into a war of attrition, with Ukraine focusing on drone production and strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, while Russia targets Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. NATO expansion fears have triggered border incursions, prompting EU warnings about the war potentially spilling into neighboring states. Casualties continue on both sides, with neither force achieving decisive strategic advantage despite heavy fighting along multiple front lines.
Key facts
- Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 157 strike UAVs plus ballistic and cruise missiles on September 17, 2026
- Russia has suffered approximately 1.4 million casualties and 450,000 fatalities for marginal territorial gains according to CSIS
- Ukraine has captured approximately 800 square kilometers in Russian Kursk region but Russia reclaimed roughly 64 percent of that territory by February 2026
- Only 28 percent of Republicans support additional Ukraine aid compared to 62 percent of Democrats, revealing partisan divide in US
- EU chief warned the war is spilling into neighboring states amid border incursions and NATO concerns
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Progressive voices blame NATO expansion for provoking the conflict, framing it as a US-driven imperial overreach rather than primarily a Russian invasion. Many on the left criticize American military aid to Ukraine, arguing resources should address domestic needs, and contend that serious diplomatic negotiations should be prioritized over continued weapons shipments. Some progressive outlets have called for NATO's dismantling and questioned whether Ukrainian leadership serves Western interests.
Right-leaning coverage: Conservative and right-leaning skeptics argue the US should not risk war over Ukraine, viewing involvement as wasteful intervention in a regional dispute that does not directly threaten American security. Many question whether Ukraine can win and argue aid diverts resources from domestic priorities. Some cite NATO's eastward expansion as provocative, while others focus on managing costs and negotiated settlements rather than continued military support.
Limits of this briefing
Recent reporting focuses primarily on Western and Ukrainian perspectives; Russian casualty figures come from Ukrainian and US estimates rather than Russian sources. Peace negotiation dynamics and Russian public opinion receive limited coverage in English-language sources.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Russia-Ukraine war | Today's latest from Al Jazeera Centre
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine war latest updates and analysis Centre
- CSIS: Ukraine War: Research & Analysis Centre
- Foreign Policy: Russia-Ukraine War Latest News & Analysis Centre
- In These Times: A More Progressive Response to the Ukraine Crisis Left